Capriati Signs Up To Ddf Women's Open- American star returns after semi-final showing last year

Dubai, UAE, February 11, 2004: Jennifer Capriati last night became the seventh top 10 player to sign up for the Dubai Duty Free Women's Open from February 23-28.

The 27 year-old who spent a majority of the 1990's battling with personal problems after exploding into the tennis world as a child prodigy, has re-established herself as one of the game best players and returns to Dubai after reaching the semi-finals last year.

"It's a pleasure to be able to announce that Jennifer Capriati has decided to join our world-class field as a wild card," said Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free. "She is one of the biggest names in the game and her confirmation takes the number of top 20 players travelling here to 13."

Capriati's fall from grace after setting the tennis world alight as a record-breaking teenager, followed by her subsequent return to the game and climb to world No 1 and three Grand Slam titles is the stuff dreams are made of.

She wasn't sure what to expect when she arrived in Dubai last year, perhaps expecting a way of life very different to what she had become used to. What she found was a tantalising mix of the familiar and the exotic and it has tempted her back to the emirate for a second time.

"I felt like I was in an Aladdin movie," she said: "I've never taken photos before, but I was getting pictures of the hotel (Burj Al Arab), me belly-dancing at the party, sitting on a camel. I liked it there.

"I think it's a very modern city and very cosmopolitan. The hotel was amazing, and I was just in awe every time I walked in the place."

Capriati is approaching full fitness after an injury lay-off but still sits firmly in the world's top 10 and will be relishing the chance to face the likes of fellow American Venus Williams or world No 1 Justine Henin-Hardenne in Dubai.

The Dubai Duty Free Women's Open forms the first week of the Dubai Tennis Championships fortnight, which also features 10 of the world's top 20 men for the ATP Dubai Duty Free Men's Open.

Roger Federer, Tim Henman and Mark Philippoussis are among the big names confirmed for the ATP Tour event, completing two world-class fields to rival any other tournament on the Tours.

Tickets are on sale, with almost fifty percent priced at Dhs30, and are available from the Dubai Tennis Stadium, selected Fono outlets, the adidas store in Deira City Centre and the Time Out Ticketline on 800 4669 or www.itptickets.com. Finals tickets are priced just Dhs100.

Mase

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:14 PM

Glad to hear she's going to be back that soon! Can't wait!!!!!!

moo_ont

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:15 PM

Good good. I miss seeing her play. :)

daustin

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:19 PM

:woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo: :woohoo:

GREAT----she brings excitement to womens tennis!!

Robbie.

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:22 PM

Yes, Jenny is back :bounce:

Knizzle

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:23 PM

Welcome back Cappy!!!

Potential Jen/Justine rematch and also a Venus/Jenn match. Maybe I shouldn't be saying this out loud. JINX!! :devil:

Knizzle

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:24 PM

Good good. I miss seeing her play. :)

I like your sig, it really does provide an illusion.

Robbie.

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:26 PM

Welcome back Cappy!!!

Potential Jen/Justine rematch and also a Venus/Jenn match. Maybe I shouldn't be saying this out loud. JINX!! :devil:
Oh no you jinxed it :sad:

jenny161185

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:40 PM

GREAT I cant wait to see her back in action - what date does Dubai start on?will Venus be healthy?I sure hope so! hope Jens back is ok and hopefully shes ben working ard on her game over te lay off :)

Robbie.

Feb 11th, 2004, 11:54 PM

GREAT I cant wait to see her back in action - what date does Dubai start on?will Venus be healthy?I sure hope so! hope Jens back is ok and hopefully shes ben working ard on her game over te lay off :)
It starts the 23rd!

I can't wait to see Jenn back :hearts:

brunof

Feb 12th, 2004, 12:05 AM

GO JENN! :worship: :bounce:

Diya

Feb 12th, 2004, 12:52 AM

:woohoo:

I just hope they don't make her pose in those weird outfits with lustful sheikhs giving her nasty looks :o

LindsayRocks89

Feb 12th, 2004, 01:24 AM

can't wait to see you back playing jenn :worship:

kerbear

Feb 12th, 2004, 01:40 AM

Yea! This is the news I've been waiting for! I'm so excited!!!!

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

Yay for Jennifer Capriati!

JennyS

Feb 12th, 2004, 02:10 AM

This is great news! Thanks for posting it.

This makes a lot of sense for Jen. She was on the original press release but then wasn't on the initial commitment list. Maybe Jen didn't want to officially commit until she was feeling better.

And if she can play the tourney that will be great to get a tournament in before Indian Wells.

Thanks for posting this info.

Jericho

Feb 12th, 2004, 02:32 AM

:woohoo:

I just hope they don't make her pose in those weird outfits with lustful sheikhs giving her nasty looks :o
dont worry, i think her US Open outfit was a one time deal :o

7~ŒLêV3ñ½

Feb 12th, 2004, 02:50 AM

I know ms Venus and Justine would be on opposite sides,
mmm guess where theyd put Jenny? hope on ms Venuss side so that she could get enought preparation to beat Justine again.

Question why the heck was my post and my friends post deleted. I don't understand. If it was becasue we were sticking up for something then that is wrong. I don't understand people have said worse things then this and I am so mad right now. :fiery: :fiery: :fiery: :fiery: Please answer me because it doesn't seem fair.

Jennifer is Back and is going to show you all and make you all feel stupid!!!!!!! :fiery: :fiery: :fiery: :fiery: :fiery: